The Earth is once again under the threat of alien invasion and, as is
commonly seen with anime, it's one of the cute and sexy kind. It's
interesting that when it comes to intergalactic attack fleets or alien
emissaries the United States seems to get hit with every evil force
imaginable looking to destroy our way of life whereas Japan tends to get
hot ladies who just want to learn about Earth even if they have a
tendency to get it completely wrong. Cat Planet Cuties is just
one of the latest offerings.

Based on the Okina Kamino's light
novel series Asobi ni iku yo! which actually ends up translating
into Let's Go Play, not Cat Planet Cuties, the locale shifts
from what is normally found in virtually every anime series dealing
with invasions from Tokyo to Okinawa. Kio Kakazu, your
stereotypical, nerdy teenage boy, is about to have his life
completely changed when Eris shows up at a commemorative ceremony
for his grandfather and no one seems the least but curious about the
fact that she has cat ears and a cat tale; most simply assume it's
cosplay. As it turns out, Eris comes from the planet Catia and has
come to investigate our planet. Before long others arrive from Catia
as well, a little yakiniku convinced them this was definitely a
place to establish peaceful relations with, and Kio's home has now
become neutral territory and acts as the Catian embassy. Two of his
close friends, Aoi Futaba and Manami Kinjou, have also moved in
after finding that their lives are perhaps in danger and while the
Catian people assume they are the first alien visitors to Earth they
soon discover this isn't true. The Dogisia have been here for quite
some time and aren't about to let the cats stay.

For the most part Cat Planet
Cuties is like virtually every other anime in this sub-genre
and, as often is the case, it quickly transforms from being a
science fiction series to being much more of a harem inspired
series. This however can play out very well if it is executed in a
way that hasn't been done over and over although there are
definitely parts of the series that are commonplace. Our male lead,
Kio for example, really falls into being just what has been seen in
most of these types of anime. Regardless of his nerdy appearance,
Kio soon has three women vying for his affections with Eris being
the one who is the most upfront about things. Of course he's too
shy, or perhaps too much of a nice guy, to act on any type of
immoral behavior even when it's thrown right in his face, and this
happens both figuratively and literally. Just about any male will
tell you that at this age, if any female would have shown the
slightest interest, they would have taken the offer in an instant.

Eris ends up being the main member
of the Catians who is seen in the series although some other members
of her race make appearances and all end up being female as well.
Eris doesn't quite get everything as far as Earth is concerned and
often takes examples from reading materail she's found under Kio's
bed as her inspiration. This finds the Catian's making their first
communication with Earth representatives wearing school swimsuits or
even Eris trying to wash Kio's back at one point because she's read
about it in a magazine. This does results in a number of humorous
situations and Cat Planet Cuties doesn't make it a habit of
this becoming a running gag in each episode.

With the other two female leads we
have characters that are somewhat similar and yet different. Both
Aoi and Manami have an interest in Kio and both also have expressed
having an interest in joining government agencies. Manami is more of
the tomboy type of character who seems to be interested in guns more
than anything else while Aoi has much more of a quite approach most
of the time but also has the ability to teleport objects into her
hand. As the series shows though, both are quite capable when it
comes to combat and with their combined abilities, are more than a
force to be reckoned with. There is another Earthling female who
enters the series as well to a somewhat lesser degree. Antonia
Lirimonie Norfedras Papanorgas Arecroteles Cnorses Morfenoss is the
leader of a cat worshipping cult who kidnaps Eris and Kio early on
but eventually they are freed. Antonia ends up enrolling at school
along with the group, and brings her maids along as well. but has
turned to a different approach with her religion. Eris also has a
small collective of what are known as Assisstroids; small robots who
help in a variety of different ways and some are given more unique
looks which seem to be inspired by a variety of different cinema;
one in particular I'm sure was meant to be a tribute to Chow Yun
Fat, more specifically his character in Hard Boiled.

For all various other titles that
Cat Planet Cuties seems to draw from, it's still not a
horrible series and in fact can be rather fun at times. It's a
shorter run, a mere twelve episodes along with an OVA, but this also
means that with less episodes the series needs to move a little
quicker. It doesn't dwell too long on certain aspects that other
anime will focus on for multiple episodes. The series does work in
some of the obligatory features such as a vacation episode, a
Christmas episode, and things of that nature as well as the required
fan service, but it also works in a storyline instead of just trying
to sell itself on sex, panty shots, and large breasts. There are
also a number of references to other Japanese films and television
series, most of which Western audiences probably aren't going to be
familiar with. The series also doesn't offer translations for some
Japanese words which actually works a little better. Yakiniku for
example just wouldn't sound as exotic as "grilled meat." With Cat
Planet Cuties being set in Okinawa, there is at least one
American institution that will be seen that some should know, that
being A&W and yes, they do in fact have them there. Remember,
Okinawa does have an American military base so there are a number of
American products found there.

This is a more recent series so
that animation looks quite good although Cat Planet Cuties
isn't a series that's trying to break into new, influential
animation territory. It does utilize a slight amount of digital
effects but not to such a degree that it just becomes an eye sore.
The character designs are fairly standard but still manage to stand
out well enough so that they don't all look virtually identical.
There are some good action sequences seen during a few of the
episodes though and Cat Planet Cuties at times does feature
scenes that have the feeling of spy thrillers and action films.

There are commentary tracks on two
episodes but as the case usually is, this is with the cast and crew
of the English dub. I really have no idea why FUNimation continues
to include these since those involved never have anything
substantial to say about the series. The Extra Bonus Features is
just a collection of bumpers and previews for episodes and isn't
terribly interesting. There is a clean version of the opening
animation for the series as well as a number of them for the closing
animations. Also included is a US version of the trailer but nothing
that would give a bit more on the Japanese production of the series.

Cat Planet Cuties might be
duplicating a number of things that are found in other anime,
Urusei Yatsura was one of the first ones that I thought of, but
there are still things about the series that makes it a little more
enjoyable than most. Probably the most important and catching is the
humorous approach of the series and that it's not just an
hyper-sexualized anime that does nothing but thrown in boobs, panty
shots, and cheap thrills in every episodes. Those looking for a more
serious approach to alien invasions will probably not find any
satisfaction here but anyone who has a taste for the light-hearted,
fun-loving, and cute alien variety of alien visitors will find
Cat Planet Cuties hits the spot.

Episode 1 – The Cat Who Fell to
Earth

Nice
guy Kio's life gets turned upside down when he meets a friendly,
sexy cat-alien named Eris! She's on a peaceful mission - but things
could get dangerous, thanks to all of the secret agencies trying to
get close to her.

Episode 2 – I Dropped By

When
Eris is taken captive by one of the many secret organizations on her
tail, Kio springs into action and organizes a rescue attempt. Of
course, with alien technology at her disposal, Eris might just be
able to take care of herself.

Episode 3 – We’ve Come to Stay

Labeled traitors by their former organizations, Manami and Aoi take
refuge in the new embassy of Catia - Kio's house! The girls discover
they aren't out of hot water just yet, though, when an intruder
attempts a bath time raid!

Episode 4 - We’ve Come to Kidnap You

Kio
and the girls head to Tokyo for a day of shopping. Unfortunately,
their trip is derailed when a kitty-loving cult attacks their train.
With Kio and Eris in danger, Manami, Aoi, and the Assistroids begin
planning a rescue.

Episode 5 - We’ve Come to Rescue You

Aoi
and Manami undertake a high seas raid to free Kio and Eris from
Antonia's lavish - and heavily armed - yacht. The battle is intense,
and Aoi is left unconscious in the belly of the ship. Can Kio get to
her before the vessel sinks?

Episode 6 - I’ve Practiced

Aoi’s frustrated by her lack of cooking ability and Manami wants to
get better at handling guns. They get a chance to hone their skills
in a virtual reality room on the Catian mothership – and both get to
spend time with a virtual Kio.

Episode 7 - We’ve Come to Swim

Summer's over, class is back in session, and Kio is surprised to see
that Eris and Antonia have enrolled at his school. When the gang
goes on a field trip to the beach, they soon find their fun
interrupted by an enemy attack!

Episode 8 - We Had a Deal

Aoi
challenges Manami to step up her training, so the girls head into
the woods for a one-on-one war game. Little do they know, as each
stalks the other through the forest, a hidden threat is taking aim
at them both.

Episode 9 - The Grand First Assistroid?

After
traveling through space for many years, Lawry, the first Assistroid
ever created, visits Earth. Kio is taken back by her human-like
appearance, and Eris explains the surprising history shared by the
Catians and the Assistroids.

Episode 10 - We Came After You

The
Christmas season is here and the Catians get caught up in the spirit
of giving. Captain Kune arrives on Earth with a gift for Kio, but
the festivities grind to a halt thanks to a well-executed Dogishuan
attack!

Episode 11 - I Came Looking for You

The
Catian mothership is plummeting toward Earth! With Captain Kune's
bell in his possession, Kio takes command of the feline forces, and
the gang races off to Russia to build a rocket and avert disaster!

Episode 12 - I Came to Find You

The
gang rockets into orbit to prevent catastrophe! As a battle rages
above Earth, Kio tries to shut down the plummeting mothership’s
computer. When he learns that only a Catian can issue the order, he
makes a surprising move!

Episode 13 - Come Drop By

Eris is interested in learning more about the games enjoyed on
Earth, so the gang spends the day playing several different kinds.
Manami raises the stakes by suggesting some serious prizes, some of
which prove to be quite incriminating!

Disc 1
Episodes:
1 – The Cat Who Fell to Earth
2 – I Dropped By
3 – We’ve Come to Stay
4 – We’ve Come to Kidnap You
5 – We’ve Come to Rescue You
6 – I’ve Practiced
7 – We’ve Come to Swim
8 - We Had a Deal
9 - The Grand First Assistroid?
Special Features:
Commentary on "The Cat Who Fell to Earth" with Scott Sager, Monica Rial
and Tia Ballard
Commentary on "The Grand First Assistroid" with Christopher Bevins,
Aaron Dismuke and Brittney Karbowski

Disc 2
Episodes:
10 - We Came After You
11 - I Came Looking for You
12 - I Came to Find You
13 - Come Drop By
Special Features:
Extra Bonus Features
Clean Opening Animation
Clean Closing Animations
Cat Planet Cuties U.S. Trailer
DVD Copy